Without exaggeration, we can say that each person during his life at least once dealt with a material called "gabardine". From the fabric with this name sew children's, men's and women's clothing around the world. But what is surprising, in each specific case, the characteristics of gabardine tissue - density, composition and even how it looks - can vary significantly. What's the matter? Why is the name one, and the fabrics seem completely different? The answer to this question will try to find together.
Fabric gabardine - a bit of history
As you know, in the capital of England nasty weather is more likely a rule than an exception, and mods often have to choose between comfort and style. To protect themselves from age-old dampness, local residents used waterproof raincoats made of rubber, which did not let through not only water, but also air. To give compatriots a more convenient way to protect themselves from bad weather, the famous manufactory Thomas Burberry, the founder of Barberry's fashion house, invented the material, the threads in which are interwoven diagonally, and gave it the name of gabards. Due to the unusual dense weaving of threads, the gabardine fabric has the property of repelling water, which is the reason for its popularity. Initially, gabardine was made only from woolen fibers, but in the course of time other varieties of gabardine - completely synthetic or with a small content of synthetic fibers, as well as gabardine based on cotton and silk - began to appear. But they are united by one - the diagonal interlacing of threads, which forms a characteristic pattern on the front side of the fabric.
Gabardine cloth - description
So, how to determine - gabardine in front of us or not? To do this, take the fabric in hand and carefully examine:
- First, to recognize the gabardine will help the characteristic diagonal pattern - the hem, which is on its obverse. The width of the hem may be different, but it will necessarily be present. If you turn the fabric to the wrong side, then there is no hem, we will not see - the underside of the gabardine is absolutely smooth. Gabardine hem is formed due to the fact that during the manufacture of the thread, the weft and the base are weaved at an angle of 45 to 63 degrees, with the warp threads twice as thin as the weft threads.
- Secondly, gabardine has a dense structure . Along with this gabardine is a soft enough fabric, which has the ability to form beautiful folds. Depending on whether there are artificial fibers in gabardine, it can be matte or shiny. Gabardine containing a large percentage of synthetic fibers will shine more than the one in which they are almost nonexistent. A gabardine, completely made of natural raw materials, will be opaque.
- At the very beginning, the production of gabardine was carried out only from natural sheep's wool and its colors were not pleased with the variety. Today, you can find gabards of all colors of the rainbow, including melange colors.
What can I sew from gabardine?
Due to a wide range of colors and compositions, gabardine is practically a universal material. From it you can sew men's and women's pants, skirts, outerwear and tunics. Due to its strength, ease of care and durability, gabardine
How to care for items made of gabardine?
In many ways, care for products from gabardine will depend on its composition. Products from pure woolly gabardine, especially outerwear, it is better to give a dry cleaning, and not to wash yourself. Pants, skirts and dresses from thin woolly or synthetic gabardine can be washed in a washing machine at a temperature of 40 ° C. To iron the gabardine follows from the wrong side, so as not to spoil the product with shiny stains. The iron must not be too hot at the same time.